2004 Acura TL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 10%of 551 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Acura TL, 10% of the 551 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After having my car in the shop for 2 weeks trying to figure out why the power steering won't stop freaking exploding when there is nothing wrong with any of the parts except the hoses going bad. I once again was left in the middle of a busy street with no power steering trying to muscle my way back to the shop. This is ridiculousssssss. Why are they not telling us their cars have issues!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11383370, filed 2020-12, 150,000 miles“The transmission is lacking at any moment that happens to me in the middle of the street. No safe another car almost hit me. No safe .... My dash is horrible completely cracke and this definitely is going to affect the airbags in my Acura 2004 TL. Sorry is the wors of worst .yes I was driving going in to the gas station and car just lack I couldn't do anything after about 20 minutes. The car gets on gear again and I get in gas station”
NHTSA complaint #11286618, filed 2019-12, 119,000 miles“Bought used on 1/1 /2018,drove fine for about 10 minutes and then it felt like car went into neutral and car wouldn't move. We were about an hour from my house from where we bought car. We then had to pull over ,shut the car off , wait 5 minutes and start car for it not even go a mile and we would have to repeat. We were traveling on busy parkway and this became a traffic hazard due to the amount of traffic.the car will shift into any gear and has 130,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11058436, filed 2018-01, 130,000 miles“I bought a used 2004 Acura TL that has run fine for 6 months so far. Just last night, when stationary and trying to move forward my transmission started slipping, stalling out and ramping up to 5000 RPM. After a green light with cars behind me and I can't move an inch. I take my car to a transmissions specialist to learn that there is coolant mixing with my transmission fluid. There was a NHTSA recall on the automatic transmissions for Acura TL's in 2004. Recall number 04v176000 . …”
NHTSA complaint #11079910, filed 2018-03, 173,000 miles“I was satisfied with this car until recently. Presently having a problem with front end vibration. Changed and balanced tires, plus alignment. Problem still continues. Returned car to dealer for recheck and was informed that the vibration is my transmission going bad. Approx. 66000 miles on the car. If this is the case something needs to be done.”
NHTSA complaint #10275305, filed 2009-06, 66,755 milesRelated recalls
- 04V176000Apr 15, 2004On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft…Covers: Acura TL 2000–2004, CL 2001–2003, Honda Odyssey 2002–2004 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10051940Jan 26, 2013Acura: clutch pedal pops, squeaks, or clicks.
- 10026204Jul 18, 2008Acura: 6 speed manual transmission grinds when shifting into 3rd gear, pops out of 3rd gear, or is hard to shift into 3rd gear. Transmission has a faulty 3rd gear synchronizer or…
- 10018865Dec 16, 2005Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting.
- 10014766Jan 1, 2005P1706 a/t switch short or open.
- 10013911Oct 1, 2004A/t solenoid replacement criteria.
- 10013905Oct 1, 2004How to replenish atf on vehicles with a/t oil jet kits.
- 10013745Sep 16, 2004Automatic transmission solenoid replacement criteria. Acura tech line summary for dealer distribution.
- 10014133Aug 16, 2004Canon digital camera loan program.
- 10014344Dec 1, 2003Atf (automatic transmission fluid) leaks from cooler line banjo bolt.
- 10014334Dec 1, 2003Don't reuse old atf fluid) warmer on reman a/t (automatic transmission)
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 6% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 27 | 21% |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% |
| 2010 | 10 | 16% |
| 2009 | 5 | 12% |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% |
| 2007 | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 8% |
| 2005 | 36 | 9% |
| 2004 | 56 | 10% |
| 2003 | 246 | 63% |
| 2002 | 224 | 67% |
| 2001 | 103 | 69% |
| 2000 | 111 | 45% |
| 1999 | 37 | 24% |
| 1998 | 2 | 10% |
| 1997 | 3 | 13% |
| 1996 | 4 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2004 Acura TL
232 complaintsAir bags
199 complaintsTires
51 complaintsOther or unknown
50 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsSeats
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Acura TL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology